Southampton chairman Nico Cortese stands by last season's sacking of Nigel Adkins.

Adkins was sacked in January, just days after his side beat Aston Villa and drew with Chelsea, and replaced by Mauricio Pochettino.

"The decisions appear ruthless, but it was the right thing to do," Cortese told the Daily Mail. "At first I was hesitant because football is so opinionated and everyone has a voice.

"It seems cold, but I do everything in order to progress. I don't want to lose five matches in a row before I sack the manager - I do it before that happens."